Post on 04-Feb-2022
transcript
The Philippines;
Sierra Madre extension
5th – 10th March 2012
Leader: Rob Hutchinson
Participants: Mike Hunter, Kim Chuah Lim and Rob Tizard
Whiskered Pitta © Rob Hutchinson / Birdtour Asia
Perhaps the most desirable bird not seen on our scheduled tours is the enigmatic Whiskered Pitta, one of the
toughest of the spectacular pitta family to find by virtue of its inaccessibility in the remotest mountain
ranges of Luzon. The most reliable place to see the species, together with several other Luzon specialities,
are the remote Sierra Madre mountains of northeast Luzon. With this in mind two participants from our 2-
week tour, together with another ‘jewel-hunter’ from Singapore made the trip and successful found the
Whiskered Pitta together with Flame-breasted and Cream-bellied Fruit Doves, Blue-breasted Flycatcher,
Furtive Flycatcher, Golden-crowned Babbler, Luzon Striped Babbler, Rusty-faced Babbler, White-fronted Tit,
White-lored Oriole and Sierra Madre Crow. The extension included 17 species not seen on the main two-
week tour, all but 2 of them endemics.
Our adventure in the Sierra Madre looked rather precarious when we arrived at the airport to find that our
flight to the north of Luzon had been cancelled but we were soon booked on another flight and without
further glitches we were on our way just a few hours behind schedule. To reach the forests in these areas
unfortunately means quite a trek across virtually denuded hillsides but fortunately the delay meant we
weren’t doing this during the midday heat and we actually found some good bird activity. Pygmy
Flowerpeckers were common and denser areas of cover produced Luzon White-browed Shama. Blue-tailed
Bee-eaters and Black-naped Orioles added welcome splashes of colour but the highlight was undoubtedly
the two Spotted Imperial Pigeons which flew right overhead.
Philippine Fairy Bluebird and Cream-bellied Fruit Dove
Blue-breasted Flycatcher and Furtive Flycatcher
The next morning we set out for the main camp, initially along forest edge where we found Luzon Hawk
Eagle, Philippine Cuckoo Dove, Scale-feathered Malkoha, Ashy Minivet and Philippine Fairy Bluebird. As soon
as we got into scrubby bamboo-dominated forest our first major target soon appeared; a smart Furtive
Flycatcher moving around us and again we were impressed. Black-and-White Triller, Bar-bellied
Cuckooshrike and Blackish Cuckooshrike became abundant in the forest and White-lored Orioles and
Philippine Fairy Bluebirds were remarkably common. Arriving at our comfortable camp site in the heart of
the forest we soon found a feeding group which included Green-backed Tailorbird, Olive-backed
Flowerpeckers, Lemon-throated Leaf Warbler alongside core species like Blue-headed Fantail and Elegant Tit.
After lunch we set out to explore the nearby trails and our first feeding added Golden-crowned and Luzon
Striped Babbler. A female Spotted Wood Kingfisher was sitting quietly nearby and we were happy to find the
scarce novus race of Scarlet Minivet, a potential future split.
Spotted Wood Kingfisher and Whiskered Pitta
Rufous Coucal and Striped Flowerpecker
We had heard a Whiskered Pitta the previous evening which added extra excitement to our search for this
enigmatic species this morning and it wasn’t long before we heard our first but this one was just too far so
we moved on, adding Blue-breasted Flycatcher and calling in a Luzon Bleeding-heart before we finally again
heard the distinctive booming song of another Whiskered Pitta. This one was much closer but as we crept
closer it somehow gave us the slip, only to call further up the slope and steadfastly refused to budge. There
was only one thing for it, so up we went, carefully creeping up the slope until we were within range and set
about intensely scanning. It was the sharp eyes of Kim Chuah who first spotted the red glowing from the
undergrowth and with some carefully positioning we were all able to get views and even set up the ‘scope to
see the pitta pumping his chest during song bouts and with the diagnostic whisker fully on view. After this
success we were on a high for the remainder of the day during which Northern Sooty Woodpecker was
found, along with Philippine Trogon, Rusty-breasted Cuckoo and a very obliging Cream-bellied Fruit Dove
before finishing the day with a smart pair of White-fronted Tits.
We spent the next day on a higher trail and once again started with some pitta-chasing, this time the bird
was frequenting a gully on a downward slope, certainly not easy to move around but it was well worth it for
closer views than the previous day of this brilliant bird. As we continued up we finally found a Rusty-faced
Babbler in a suitable viewing area and some careful teasing everyone got views even though it typically
moved at super high speed so seeing much more than a blur was a challenge. A Flaming Sunbird was new
for the extension and a welcome pullback for Mike, then as we made our way back to camp we stumbled on
activity around a fruiting tree and the loud clapping wing-beats drew us to no less than four Flame-breasted
Fruit Doves.Our final full day began with Blue-breasted Flycatcher around the camp, followed by Yellow-
breasted and Cream-bellied Fruit Doves in the lower forests, where Furtive Flycatcher again showed well.
Rob T stuck it out here and eventually had views of the Sierra Madre Crow which we had heard earlier, while
the rest of us headed higher again and were more than happy with our best Whiskered Pitta views yet, an
obliging individual that bounced right around us allowing unobscured views. Another Luzon Bleeding-heart
was found during the pitta search before it was time to head out again to camp 1 to finish a wonderful trip
under a full moon with the evocative calls of Philippine Eagle Owl emanating from the distant forest slopes.
All that remained the following day was the trek back to civilisation and just one more key species to find.
Fortunately not long into our trek we scored as the distinctive song lead us to the recently split Philippine
Collared Dove. Also added were Brown-headed Thrush and Barred Rail, some nice perched views of
Philippine Green Pigeon and three flyover Spotted Imperial Pigeons. In the more forested areas a Spotted
Wood Kingfisher perched quietly, while a Rufous Paradise Flycatcher and surprise Luzon Striped Babbler
joined feeding flocks. Finally we passed a large lake where an impressive 224 Philippine Ducks were found.
The extension finished with 129 species of which 11 were heard only. Among them were no less than 70
Philippine endemics and 1 near-endemic.
Luzon White-browed Shama and Golden-crowned Babbler
For further information on Birdtour Asia tours to the Philippines please contact us via our e-mail or click
here for our scheduled departure tours.
Systematic bird list
PODICIPEDIFORMES: Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis
CICONIIFORMES: Ardeidae Eastern Great Egret Ardea (alba) modesta
Intermediate Egret Egretta intermedia
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus (ibis) coromandus
ANSERIFORMES: Anatidae Philippine Duck Anas luzonica e
FALCONIFORMES: Accipitridae Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus philippensis
Philippine Serpent Eagle Spilornis holospilus e
Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii formosus
Luzon Hawk Eagle Nisaetus (philippensis) philippensis e
FALCONIFORMES: Falconidae Philippine Falconet Microhierax erythrogenys e
GALLIFORMES: Phasianidae Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus philippensis
GRUIFORMES: Rallidae Barred Rail Gallirallus torquatus torqatus
Plain Bush-hen Amaurornis olivacea e Heard only
CHARADRIIFORMES: Charadriidae Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius curonicus
CHARADRIIFORMES: Scolopacidae Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
CHARADRIIFORMES: Sternidae Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus
COLUMBIFORMES: Columbidae Philippine (Pompadour) Green Pigeon Treron (pompadora) axillaris e
White-eared Brown Dove Phapitreron leucotis leucotis e
Amethyst Brown Dove Phapitreron (amethystinus) amethystinus e
Flame-breasted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus marchei e
Cream-bellied Fruit Dove Ptilinopus merrilli e
Yellow-breasted Fruit Dove Ptilinopus occipitalis e
Black-chinned Fruit Dove Ptilinopus leclancheri ne Heard only
Spotted Imperial Pigeon Ducula carola carola e
Philippine Cuckoo Dove Macropygia tenuirostris e
Philippine (Island) Collared Dove Streptopelia [bitorquata] dusumieri e
Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica
Luzon Bleeding-heart Gallicolumba luzonica e
PSITTACIFORMES: Psittacidae Guaiabero Bolbopsittacus lunulatus e
Luzon Racquet-tail Prioniturus montanus e Heard only
Colasisi Loriculus philippensis philippensis e
CUCULIFORMES: Cuculidae Philippine Hawk Cuckoo Cuculus pectoralis e
Rusty-breasted Cuckoo Cacomantis (sepucralis) sepucralis
Philippine Drongo-Cuckoo Surniculus (lugubris) velutinus e Heard only
Common Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus mindanensis
Heard only
Scale-feathered Malkoha Lepidogrammus cumingi e
Red-crested Malkoha Dasylophus superciliosus e
Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis
Heard only
Philippine Coucal Centropus viridis viridis e
Rufous Coucal Centropus unirufus e
STRIGIFORMES: Strigidae Philippine Scops Owl Otus megalotis megalotis e Heard only
Philippine Eagle Owl Bubo philippensis e Heard only
Philippine Boobook Ninox (philippensis) philippensis e Heard only
CAPRIMULGIFORMES: Caprimulgidae Great Eared Nightjar Eurostopodus macrotis macrotis
Philippine Nightjar Caprimulgus manillensis e Heard only
APODIFORMES: Apodidae Island Swiflet Aerodramus (vanikornensis) amelis e
Grey-rumped (Glossy) Swiftlet Collocalia (esculenta) marginata e
Purple Needletail Hirundapus celebensis
APODIFORMES: Hemiprocnidae Whiskered Treeswift Hemiprocne comata major
TROGONIFORMES: Trogonidae Philippine Trogon Harpactes ardens luzoniensis e
CORACIIFORMES: Alcedinidae White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis gularis
Spotted Wood Kingfisher Actenoides lindsayi lindsayi e
CORACIIFORMES: Meropidae Blue-throated Bee-eater Merops viridis americanus
Blue-tailed Bee-eater Merops philippinus
CORACIIFORMES: Bucerotidae Luzon Hornbill Penelopides (panini) manillae e
Rufous Hornbill Buceros hydrocorax hydrocorax e
PICIFORMES: Capitonidae Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala haemacephala
PICIFORMES: Picidae Philippine Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos maculatus validirostris e
Northern Sooty Woodpecker Mulleripicus (funebris) funebris e
White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis
Luzon (Greater) Flameback Chrysocolaptes (lucidus) haematribon e
PASSERIFORMES: Pittidae Whiskered Pitta Pitta kochi e
PASSERIFORMES: Hirundinidae Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica
PASSERIFORMES: Campephagidae Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina striata striata
Blackish Cuckooshrike Coracina coerulescens e
Black-and-white Triller Lalage melanoleuca melanoleuca e
Pied Triller Lalage nigra chilensis
Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus
Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus novus
PASSERIFORMES: Pycnonotidae Yellow-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier
Philippine Bulbul Hypsipetes [Ixos] philippinus e
PASSERIFORMES: Dicruridae Luzon Balicassiao Dicrurus (balicassius) balicassius e
PASSERIFORMES: Oriolidae White-lored Oriole Oriolus (steerii) albiloris e
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis chinensis
PASSERIFORMES: Irenidae Philippine Fairy Bluebird Irena cyanogastra e
PASSERIFORMES: Corvidae Sierra Madre (Slender-billed) Crow Corvus (enca) sierramadrensis e
Eastern Jungle [Large-billed] Crow Corvus [macrorhynchos] levaillantii
PASSERIFORMES: Paridae Elegant Tit Parus elegans elegans e
Luzon White-fronted Tit Parus (semilarvatus) semilarvatus e
PASSERIFORMES: Sittidae Sulphur-billed Nuthatch Sitta oenochlamys e
PASSERIFORMES: Rhabdornithidae Stripe-headed Rhabdornis Rhabdornis mystacalis mystacalis e
PASSERIFORMES: Timaliidae Rusty-faced Babbler Robsonius rabori e
Golden-crowned Babbler Sterrhoptilus dennistouni e
Luzon Stripe-Babbler Zosterornis striata e
PASSERIFORMES: Turdidae White-browed Shortwing Brachypteryx montana poliogyna
Heard only
Luzon White-browed Shama Copsychus (luzoniensis) luzoniensis e
Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata
Brown-headed Thrush Turdus chrysolaus
PASSERIFORMES: Acanthizidae Golden-bellied Gerygone Gerygone sulphurea
PASSERIFORMES: Sylviidae Arctic Warbler Phylloscopus borealis
Lemon-throated Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus cebuensis luzonensis e
Tawny Grassbird Megalurus timoriensis tweeddalei
Striated Grassbird Megalurus palustris forbesi
Green-backed (Philippine) Tailorbird Orthotomus (castaneiceps) chloronotus e
PASSERIFORMES: Cisticolidae Bright-capped Cisticola Cisticola exilis
PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae Furtive Flycatcher Ficedula disposita e
Blue-breasted Flycatcher Cyornis herioti herioti e
Citrine Canary Flycatcher Culicicapa helianthea
PASSERIFORMES: Rhipiduridae Luzon Blue-headed Fantail Rhipidura (cyaniceps) cyaniceps e
PASSERIFORMES: Muscicapidae Rufous Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone cinnamomea unirufa e
Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea azurea
PASSERIFORMES: Pachycephalidae
Yellow-bellied Whistler Pachycephala philippinensis philippensis e
PASSERIFORMES: Motacillidae Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus lugubris
Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus
PASSERIFORMES: Artamidae White-breasted Wood-swallow Artamus leucorynchus
PASSERIFORMES: Laniidae Long-tailed Shrike Lanius schach nasutus
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus lucionensis
PASSERIFORMES: Sturnidae Coleto Sarcops calvus e
Crested Myna Acridotheres cristatellus
Introduced
PASSERIFORMES: Nectariniidae Grey-throated Sunbird Anthreptes griseigularis birgitae e
Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis jugularis
Purple-throated Sunbird Leptocoma sperata henkei
Flaming Sunbird Aethopyga flagrans flagrans e
Metallic-winged Sunbird Aethopyga pulcherrima jefferyi e
PASSERIFORMES: Dicaeidae Olive-backed Flowerpecker Prionochilus olivaceus parsosi e
Striped Flowerpecker Dicaeum aeruginosum striatissimum e
Red-keeled Flowerpecker Dicaeum australe e
Buzzing Flowerpecker Dicaeum hypoleucum cagayanensis e
Orange-bellied Flowerpecker Dicaeum trigonostigma xanthopygium
Pygmy Flowerpecker Dicaeum pygmaeum pygmaeum e
PASSERIFORMES: Zosteropidae Yellowish White-eye Zosterops nigrorum innominatus e
PASSERIFORMES: Passeridae Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
PASSERIFORMES: Estrildidae White-bellied Munia Lonchura leucogastra
Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata
e = Philippine endemic species
ne = Philippine near-endemic species